My name is Abhishek Gogoi. I am from Assam, India. I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child.
I was told that, as a toddler, my parents had to watch as I missed one developmental milestone after another.
I learnt
I found strength in my parents’ love
My father used to work as a producer and director at a local TV station and was the family’s sole breadwinner. When I was 11, we lost him to cancer, leaving my then-pregnant mother alone to care for the family. After his death, my mother moved back to her hometown, in Guwahati.
In Guwahati, I made new friends and joined Special Olympics Bharat. I started engaging in sports and began training in cricket and shot put. It was there that I developed a keen interest in cycling. There is something just so exhilarating about having the wind in my hair as I pedal towards the distant horizon. I started to find purpose, meaning and friendship.
My mother works at a day-care centre and does not earn very much. Because of our financial challenges, she was unable to buy me a bicycle to train competitively. My coach knew of the difficulties I faced but believed in me regardless. He would lend me his bike during training so that I could condition myself for all my competitions.
In early 2018, I took part in a national cycling championship held in
Some friends and a “bicycle mayor” from a non-profit organization, BYCS, heard about my win and helped set up a crowdfunding campaign so that I could afford my own bicycle. Thanks to the outpouring of kindness from strangers, I now have my own bike that I have been using to train for the upcoming World Games.
I have been working towards this dream by following a strict training regiment. Every day, from
Despite the exhausting schedule, I continue to push myself to new limits with each session. I know that every bit of effort I spend in training is a step closer to helping me achieve my dreams of bringing home a gold medal for India during the World Games.
Outside of training, I also enjoy cooking, helping my mum with the housework, graphic design and video editing. One day, I hope to continue my father’s legacy as a content producer, working in the film industry in a big city.
My involvement with Special Olympics has truly opened new doors in my life. With sports, I have become more active and positive. I now understand the sense of achievement that comes with surpassing my own limits, the power of determination and the elation of winning a competition. If not for the movement, my life journey would have started and ended only in my own home.
My name is Abhishek Gogoi. I am 18 this year, and I am ready to conquer the world.
15 comments
Congrats ????
Well done Abhishek……you are a great inspiration for today’s youth……keep doing well……blessings from Jaipur????????
Congratulations sir…. ur having a amazing fighting spirit . U really inspire me .lots of love from MAHATMA GANDHI OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY COLLEGE ,JAIPUR
We are proud of u abhishek you are India’s inspiration
we proud of uh… jst wanna say never give up nd of course congratulations for ur success may u achieve your all goals nd soon u gonna be the vedio editor in industry…
Hi abhishek. I m from jaipur, just read about you and ur story inspired me and at the same moment made me proud of our country and on you . Thank you for inspiring and keep it up
We are really proud of you Abhishek keep going and all the best for your future
#Mothersupport
Congratulations .
I love ur spirit and determination that while having problems u never gived up on anything. Ur hardwork, dedication made us, ur indian proud… We love u Abhishek. We r always with u, will pray for u and many many congratulations for winning medal for india and for those special kids. U inspired everyone
Jaipur is with you and Proud of you
congratulations and thank you for representing INDIA
your experience and story inspired a lot of people and you are the REAL definition of DETERMINATION
Your an inspiration all of us.
Hello its bhagyashree kalia
From jaipur
I am very very inspired from your story
The past can not be changed. The future is yet in your power… You proved it.. congratulations
The past can not be changed. The future is yet in your power… You proved it.. congratulations #jaipur
Inspiration